'll tune in. >> iwantryantobe able to express what we want for our country.likeromneydidin the presidential debate. >> i think it will help obama if joe biden does well. >> reporter: with the debate hall at center call, paul ryan arrived, a 42-year-old republican whiz kid set to face a 69-year-old democratic debate veteran. >> joe biden's been on this stage before. this is my first time. but what he can't run from is president obama's indefensible record. >> reporter: the vice president sometimes hurts team obama with gaffes, with trademark bravado, that he won't dodge. >> looking forward to it. >> reporter: the stakes in danville look higher after last week's debate in denver. >> the reason is that mitt romney's developed significant momentum from his debate performance against barack obama last week. >> reporter: romney, who last night held a big rally in sidney, ohio, narrowed the gap in that key state. in the new nbc poll, no change in florida, obama by one. romney ahead now in virginia, up three since the debate. romney up two in ohio, trailing by six. >> you talk a